<p>Kirby Cove, located at the foot of the Marin Headlands, provides seclusion and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. A steep one-mile (1.6-kilometer) downward hike is the price to pay for this sort of privacy around <a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/san-francisco-photos-2">San Francisco</a>. "Along the road down, you are at times surrounded by pine and eucalyptus forests, which smell heavenly," photographer Susan Seubert says. "The cove is only a short walk from a peaceful beach." Stay until after sunset to see <a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/free-san-francisco-traveler/">San Francisco</a> and the Golden Gate truly sparkle.</p> <p>Read more in "Authentic San Francisco" in the September 2008 issue of <i>National Geographic Traveler</i>.</p>

Kirby Cove

Kirby Cove, located at the foot of the Marin Headlands, provides seclusion and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. A steep one-mile (1.6-kilometer) downward hike is the price to pay for this sort of privacy around San Francisco. "Along the road down, you are at times surrounded by pine and eucalyptus forests, which smell heavenly," photographer Susan Seubert says. "The cove is only a short walk from a peaceful beach." Stay until after sunset to see San Francisco and the Golden Gate truly sparkle.

Read more in "Authentic San Francisco" in the September 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

Authentic San Francisco

See photos from the authentic San Francisco in this travel photo gallery from National Geographic.

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